An article on the work by Ann Griffiths is in preparation -
expected to be available October 2012.

In the meantime here is a note from the CD: Franz
Poenitz - Songs & Hymns for harp

Spukhafte Gavotte Op.75 (1907) is subtitled ‘On
a poem by Heinrich Heine’. The words ‘spuk’ (‘spook’)
and ‘gavotte’ point to Heine’s poem Maria
Antoinette,
a ghostly work that depicts the queen in the Tuileries Palace: in ceremonial
fashion, her courtiers prepare their mistress for her daily reception
although the guillotine has already relieved them all of their heads.
One can only speculate as to whether Poenitz was actually referring to
this poem; for a court musician in contact with the emperor, such as
an act would have been rather provocative!